I know Mr. Hayes personally for he coaches pewee football in Modesto ca.. He is not only one of the greatest to ever play the game, but an outstanding human being as well.. it truly is a tragedy that he has not been inducted to the Hall..
Cain L. Stickum was banned in 81, Mr. Hayes went to 5 Pro Bowls 80,81,82,83,84. And one more SB after the Stickum. Mr Hayes was still a shut down corner w/or w/without stickum. But if stickum was allowed back then, why not? Don’t hate, appreciate.
@@cainl.2233 Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff (who introduced Lester Hayes to Stickum) Is in the Hall of Fame and he used it for his entire 14-year career. What's the difference?
For those that don't know, Deion Sanders said, he used this man's style from the curl, stance, walk. This man should have been in the HOF 30 years ago.
Agreed. And add Mike Davis and Van McElroy to make them the best starting 4 defensive backs ever as well. They all completely shit down the high octane offense in the Redskins and their receivers. Art Monk did not make a catch until late in 3rd quarter. Lester was guarding him as well as Haynes.
10 years: - Did not miss a game until his 10th year (missed final 2 games due to injury that year) - Played ALL games for first 10 years - last 2 games (i.e. 149 games in a row) - Started ALL games for 7 consecutive seasons and most games in other 3 seasons - Started 13 of 13 playoff games - team went 9-4, Hayes picked off 8 passes, ran 2 of them back for TDs and recorded 2 sacks - Member of 6 playoff teams including 1st place in 1982, 83, 85 and wild card teams in 1977, 80, 84. - 5x Pro Bowler - 1980 NFL Defensive POY - 1x 1st Team All-Pro & 5x 2nd Team All-Pro - Pro Football HOF All-1980s team - Lead league in INTs, INT return yardage and INT TDs in 1980 and INT TDs in 1984 and FUM TDs in 1985 - 6x All-AFC @ CB I am a HUGE Broncos fan. BUT I am completely confused at the omission of Lester Hayes from the HOF. What did he fail to do which is keeping him out of the HOF. He was a true shutdown cornerback for almost his entire career. Think about Super Bowl XVIII. Without the complete dominance of BOTH Hayes and Haynes, what would have happened? Hayes and Haynes OBLITERATED the Redskins receivers. Totally left the Redskins receivers without any means to compete. That was ALL Hayes and Haynes doing. 1980's Super Bowl run? Credit Hayes BIG TIME. He intercepted 5 passes in the 3 AFC playoff wins. He was EVERYWHERE. In the Super Bowl, Martin had the 3 INTs. But Hayes? He did not allow anyone on Philadelphia to have an easy time. If Swann and Stallworth are in Canton for playoff exploits, Hayes deserves to be there as well. He has earned EVERY right to call himself a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Give that man a YELLOW JACKET NOW!
I was born into San Diego chargers season tickets and was 10 years old during the 1980 season and present at the AFC title game that year- there still to this day has never ever been a better season a cornerback has had in the history of the league that the season Hayes had in 1980- he was a ball hawk the likes none of us have seen since...nobody came close to what he did in 1980 season. including the playoffs, and this isn off memory, he had 18 interceptions including playoffs with 5 called back? something close to that.....we have not seen that since, and dont give me any of that stickum excuse...thats a rookie non football moron excuse....the gloves today work far better than the stickum ever did. No corner ever had a season such as Hayes had in 1980, and it propelled his team to a SB victory- I'm a lifetime chargers fan, and how Lester isnt in the hall is just a flat out joke
Even tho you posted this comment 2 years ago... i still feel prompted to show my respect and appreciation to you. as rival fans we clearly have something in common.... RESPECT FOR SUPERIOR PLAY ON THE FIELD.... hats off to steve atwater and champ bailey ... lyle alzado... cheers
@@terrenceliburd8655 I wasn't saying it's right. One part of one of the greatest tandems in NFL history. The people who decide remember stickum, and forget how great he was! Ricky Running Waters is another example of someone who should be in the hof that may never make it. " For who and for what", will haunt Ricky forever !
l laughed with the stickum, we all know Lester Hayes deserves to be in the Hall. The NFL which controls the Hall dishonor quite a few AFL players and Lester Hayes was one
How in the hell Lester Hayes isn't in the HOF?!?!?! I've always been a BENGALS fan but those old Raiders were something to behold, the way they played brought me so joy as a purest of the old school NFL and those old Raiders really lived up to their logo because they play was of a pillaging pirate to raid and destroy opposing teams in every which way possible. And their wonderful super coach John Madden was the catalyst of it all, Rest in peace coach Madden and yes those Raiders were wonderful to see and their domination was second to none. Lester Hayes was an awesome player but even a greater showman. As a Football fan of true tough and tumble style of play no other team played like those old Raiders, not since nor forever, the game has changed a lot but I miss those old days of the NFL/and those Raiders were so incredibly fun to watch that it almost brings a tear or two whenever those great memories are evoked.
The black and silver uniforms along with the style of play somewhat wide open. You know when some teams are so good you hate them, mostly because they were always whooping your team ass.I couldn't stand the Raiders Lester Hayes and a few other made it a love hate thing
Laurence Lambus He Deions favorite player, and the guy he groomed his game after. Whenever anyone ask Deion about guys who should be in the Hall that aren't his first response is Lester Hayes.
popeye12money And yet they pick people who aren’t deserving to get into the Hall of Fame Cliffbranch Lester Hayes I mean they should’ve been in a long time ago
Yes, in my opinion, ALL of the Halls Of Fame are a joke for one reason or another... mind you, I don’t mind the fact of having an actual building/museum for fans to make a pilgrimage to, and which collects “pieces of the game and the men who played it”, but the politics and stupidity involved with who is allowed to have a plaque in the hall with their likeness and name attached, that I find deeply annoying. The NFL has changed, DRAMATICALLY, over the years, and lost amongst the time and tide of rules changes and offensive-stat explosions are many alltime greats, like Lester, absolutely, but especially ol’ number 21, Cliff Branch, the platonic ideal of the BURNER, so VITAL a piece of Al Davis’ ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK offensive philosophy, the “straw that stirred the drink” that was the Oakland Raiders’ offense... The Raiders are 3-2 in Super Bowls. 3-0 with Cliff, 0-2 without him. I realize that doesn’t really tell the entire story, but it’s not a coincidence. These guys shone brightest when the stage was biggest!
Same with Cliff Branch. The NFL doesn't want to admit that the outlaw Raiders had great teams. They want to punish the Raiders for moving from Oakland to LA without permission and took it out on the players from that era. Look at how long it took Snake to be inducted
joe jones First off every Defensive back and wide out in the NFL used stickum back then Jerry Rice even admitted to using after it was banned and said most of the league did until the neoprene gloves came out in the early 90's which they say works better than stickum ever did. Lester just like to coat himself in it so he could stick to the wideouts in bump and run coverage. What made Lester great was his man coverage, the cornerback position is not all about picks. This is the guy that Deion Sanders groomed his game after and Deion who knows a hell of lot more than you or me about the cornerback position in the NFL says he should be there and should have been there on his first ballot.
I grew up a Vikings fan but my all time favorite player wore #37 for the Raiders, he is absolutely a hall of famer! I played corner and wore #37 from 7th grade through high school because of the great Lester Hayes!!
Deion Danders stole his SWAG... his style of play, his stance, the way he walked, his hair, the #37. Deion had #37 with the Ravens. (This guy was a bad man.)
Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes, the greatest defensive backfield Tandem in the history of the NFL. Lester Hayes was a big component of the greatness of the Oakland Raiders. It is a serious injustice by the NFL that he has not been inducted into the Hall of Fame!!!
Along with Hayes and Haynes you add Mike Davis and Van McElroy. The best 4 defensive starting defensive backs ever that shut down the highest octane offensive receivers in the Washington Redskins in the Superbowl 1983.
Lester should have been NFL MVP in 1980....and is 100% a HOFer. Been a die hard Cowboys fan for 40 years, but I loved Lester Hayes as a kid...he was Deion before Deion
well of course not, because free agency exists..back then, we got to see the same players on the same team year after year- natural rivalries developed. players didnt fraternize with players from other teams back then...not like today where they are all buddies- its a different landscape
Lester was THE MAN. 18 interceptions in 19 games played in 1980. The Hall of Fame has many cornerbacks in it that couldn't hold a candle to Lester's skill set. The Gold Standard of Shutdown corners.. disagree? ... game tape to game tape with any CB of any era.
The fact that Lester Hayes isnt in the Hall of Fame, simply renders the Hall, a fraud!! He could literally make good QB`s look like rookies. This is a huge injustice, along with the exclusion of Ray Guy. Another example of the Anti-Raider sentiment by the old voters.
Lester "The Judge" Hayes and Cifford "Speed Kills" Branch deserve to be inducted the HOF. These were the two players I patterned my playing style after.
Great video! He deserves to be in the HOF! Even though he used alot of stickum, no one can deny that he was a magnificent playmaker! He was always in the right place at the right time!
Exactly, The stickum helped with the interceptions but it had nothing to do with his ability to blanket cover whoever he was assigned to. After stickum was outlawed Hayes' picks went down, but his 'batting down passes' numbers went up.
K Adams Yeah, he said it made him stick to the receivers in coverage, which is absurd when you think about it, I think it was more about getting in the other players head and leaving stickum smeared all over any offensive player in his path. Kinda like those stories of NBA big men that would skip showers so they'd stink in the paint.
Lester in 1980 had the greatest year a cornerback has EVER had 13 interceptions 5 interceptions in the playoffs And 4 interceptions called back due to penalty.. That is truly insane!!! What's more insane is that he is not in the HOF..
Probably the greatest year any Defensive player has ever had. Should be talked about a lot more and yes he should absolutely be in the HOF. Tired of the Hall only electing new retirees.
That Raider Fan I'VE BEEN A STEELERS FAN FOR THE LAST 48 YEARS ...BUT LESTER HAYES BELONGS IN THE HALL OF FAME....HE WASN'T SOFT LIKE DB'S TODAY...HE WOULD STAMP YOUR ASS...MY ONLY REGRET BESIDES HIM NOT IN THE HOF..IS HE WASN'T A STEELER...
Larry Chamberlain Lester Hayes was a great player he deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame. These hall of fame voters just don’t understand it’s pathetic. Go Raiders ☠️
a great cover corner. no a shut down corner. stickum cant account for his speed and preparation. ill put lester hayes 1980 up against any cornerbacks best year. and yes, he should be in the hof. dont just ask mike haynes.
@@jomic9060 I was including LT in any given year. I was in CA in 1980 and must have watched 10+ Raider games. He was a dominating force with an interception every week. He was the main reason the Raiders won a Super Bowl in a year they were predicted to be a .500 ball club. Remember that Raider team was post-Stabler, Casper, Tatum, Atkinson, Biletnikoff etc.....
Unless you wanted to be intercepted, you never threw against Lester Haynes. The best defensive player in the history of the game as far as I'm concerned. For years, I proudly wore a jersey with his number on it! Lester Haynes, You are a god!
Many thanks for putting this tribute to Lester on video. He was an inspiration growing up; a Guy that believed and accomplished great things for "the game".
I have been a Cowboy fan since the mid 70's but my favorite player growing up was Lester Hayes, because I was a CB in high school at the time and he was very inspirational.
One of the nicest guys I ever met and one of the greatest complete cornerbacks of all-time. People always talk about Dieon Sanders, but Lester Hays could cover anyone as well as stop the sweep. Amazing when you consider he was an outside linebacker at I believe, Texas A&M. Just another Raider who should be in the Hall of Fame.
He lived, defined and played what it always meant to be a "Raider". I wish I was too young to say I never watched him play; I can't say that. Wish I never saw Lamonica play. Can't say that either. But boy was it exciting to watch Lester turn a game around, steal a game from our opponent, or bring a game to an instant closure and victory. He and Mike Haynes were, IMO, the best CB tandem the game has ever seen.
Lester Hayes' 1980 is IMO the single greatest season a cornerback has ever had. 13 regular season picks and 5 more in postseason. He should have been league MVP that year.
@Xavier Vega Hayes also had at least 4 regular season INTs disallowed in 1980 because of penalties. news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19810108&id=gF0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y9kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5241,1304032&hl=en He did have a great season, but I don't know if it was as great as Night Train Lane's rookie season. He had 14 INTs and the season was only 12 games long back then. Plus they were terrible far as keeping other stats back then. Lane was also killer tackler. He pretty much invented the clothes line tackle and the forearm to the face. If you ever get a chance. Check out some of his highlights. He was vicious as fuck.
@@mykhaelearl4677 Lester was the most important player on a Super Bowl winning team. If he wasn't there, the Raiders would have been a .500 team. He is the main reason why they were World Champions in 1980
My brothers and myself loved the 80’s Silver and Black D. I was a DB in high school, I had two pick 6’s in regulation. I tried to play like Mr. Hayes. I’ve never owned a team Jersey of any sport all my years. I turned 50 in July of 2021. On my 50th birthday my fiancé surprised me with my very first team Jersey. A Home game Black #37 Lester Hayes Jersey….. I was floored, I only wear it on game days. I hope to shake his hand and say thank you Mr. Hayes. Just Win Baby!!!!!! Thanks Tim!
I will never forget meeting Lester Hayes. He was walking through the tailgate party in LA and threw handshakes down to all raider fans after retirement. He is a true hero and is a true Raider. XOXO.
GREAT VIDEO TIM.... Time to see some of our legends breech canton for enshrinement.... LESTER HAYS. MATT MILLEN. TOM FLORES. TODD CHRISTENSON. DAVE DALBY. STEVE WIZNEWSKI. SOO MANY FANTASTIC PLAYERS NEED TO SHINE ... RIP #SPEEDKILLS
I know Mr. Hayes personally for he coaches pewee football in Modesto ca.. He is not only one of the greatest to ever play the game, but an outstanding human being as well.. it truly is a tragedy that he has not been inducted to the Hall..
Fernando Ortiz Yes Mr. Hayes is being robbed of his rightful spot in the Hall. God Bless that man.
Cain L. You must be a Donkeys fan.
Cain L. Stickum was banned in 81, Mr. Hayes went to 5 Pro Bowls 80,81,82,83,84. And one more SB after the Stickum. Mr Hayes was still a shut down corner w/or w/without stickum. But if stickum was allowed back then, why not? Don’t hate, appreciate.
@@cainl.2233 Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff (who introduced Lester Hayes to Stickum) Is in the Hall of Fame and he used it for his entire 14-year career. What's the difference?
@@cainl.2233 It was legal then. Any player on any team could have used it.
For those that don't know, Deion Sanders said, he used this man's style from the curl, stance, walk. This man should have been in the HOF 30 years ago.
I take it Lester Hayes is in the Hall now.
Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes....best CB duo of all time. Hands down
Not even a debate.....
Agreed. And add Mike Davis and Van McElroy to make them the best starting 4 defensive backs ever as well. They all completely shit down the high octane offense in the Redskins and their receivers. Art Monk did not make a catch until late in 3rd quarter. Lester was guarding him as well as Haynes.
Hands down the best.
People try to say this or that are the best CB duo ever, argument ends when Hayes and Hanes are spoken.
@Heather McKibbin...true. Honorable mention to Hansford Dixon and Frank Minnifield.
10 years:
- Did not miss a game until his 10th year (missed final 2 games due to injury that year)
- Played ALL games for first 10 years - last 2 games (i.e. 149 games in a row)
- Started ALL games for 7 consecutive seasons and most games in other 3 seasons
- Started 13 of 13 playoff games - team went 9-4, Hayes picked off 8 passes, ran 2 of them back for TDs and recorded 2 sacks
- Member of 6 playoff teams including 1st place in 1982, 83, 85 and wild card teams in 1977, 80, 84.
- 5x Pro Bowler
- 1980 NFL Defensive POY
- 1x 1st Team All-Pro & 5x 2nd Team All-Pro
- Pro Football HOF All-1980s team
- Lead league in INTs, INT return yardage and INT TDs in 1980 and INT TDs in 1984 and FUM TDs in 1985
- 6x All-AFC @ CB
I am a HUGE Broncos fan. BUT I am completely confused at the omission of Lester Hayes from the HOF. What did he fail to do which is keeping him out of the HOF. He was a true shutdown cornerback for almost his entire career. Think about Super Bowl XVIII. Without the complete dominance of BOTH Hayes and Haynes, what would have happened? Hayes and Haynes OBLITERATED the Redskins receivers. Totally left the Redskins receivers without any means to compete. That was ALL Hayes and Haynes doing. 1980's Super Bowl run? Credit Hayes BIG TIME. He intercepted 5 passes in the 3 AFC playoff wins. He was EVERYWHERE. In the Super Bowl, Martin had the 3 INTs. But Hayes? He did not allow anyone on Philadelphia to have an easy time. If Swann and Stallworth are in Canton for playoff exploits, Hayes deserves to be there as well. He has earned EVERY right to call himself a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Give that man a YELLOW JACKET NOW!
I was born into San Diego chargers season tickets and was 10 years old during the 1980 season and present at the AFC title game that year- there still to this day has never ever been a better season a cornerback has had in the history of the league that the season Hayes had in 1980- he was a ball hawk the likes none of us have seen since...nobody came close to what he did in 1980 season. including the playoffs, and this isn off memory, he had 18 interceptions including playoffs with 5 called back? something close to that.....we have not seen that since, and dont give me any of that stickum excuse...thats a rookie non football moron excuse....the gloves today work far better than the stickum ever did. No corner ever had a season such as Hayes had in 1980, and it propelled his team to a SB victory- I'm a lifetime chargers fan, and how Lester isnt in the hall is just a flat out joke
Even tho you posted this comment 2 years ago... i still feel prompted to show my respect and appreciation to you. as rival fans we clearly have something in common.... RESPECT FOR SUPERIOR PLAY ON THE FIELD.... hats off to steve atwater and champ bailey ... lyle alzado... cheers
Damn Right!
Hammerland you are 💯preach bro.
He deserves it. I'm a steelers fan and I agree he gave 200% every play!
The greatest corner back of all times set the mark of 18 interceptions for a season and he had five in the playoffs why is he not in the Hall of Fame
Stickum!
Hahahaha stickum! Lol
@@terrenceliburd8655 I wasn't saying it's right. One part of one of the greatest tandems in NFL history. The people who decide remember stickum, and forget how great he was! Ricky Running Waters is another example of someone who should be in the hof that may never make it. " For who and for what", will haunt Ricky forever !
l laughed with the stickum, we all know Lester Hayes deserves to be in the Hall. The NFL which controls the Hall dishonor quite a few AFL players and Lester Hayes was one
King of bump and run coverage , there’s no equal
Lester Hayes should be in the HOF PERIOD!!!
How in the hell Lester Hayes isn't in the HOF?!?!?! I've always been a BENGALS fan but those old Raiders were something to behold, the way they played brought me so joy as a purest of the old school NFL and those old Raiders really lived up to their logo because they play was of a pillaging pirate to raid and destroy opposing teams in every which way possible. And their wonderful super coach John Madden was the catalyst of it all, Rest in peace coach Madden and yes those Raiders were wonderful to see and their domination was second to none. Lester Hayes was an awesome player but even a greater showman. As a Football fan of true tough and tumble style of play no other team played like those old Raiders, not since nor forever, the game has changed a lot but I miss those old days of the NFL/and those Raiders were so incredibly fun to watch that it almost brings a tear or two whenever those great memories are evoked.
The black and silver uniforms along with the style of play somewhat wide open. You know when some teams are so good you hate them, mostly because they were always whooping your team ass.I couldn't stand the Raiders Lester Hayes and a few other made it a love hate thing
I dont know why he's not in the HOF! He was primetime before Deion.
Laurence Lambus He Deions favorite player, and the guy he groomed his game after. Whenever anyone ask Deion about guys who should be in the Hall that aren't his first response is Lester Hayes.
He used stickum
@@DUKETATUM it Wasn't Illegal
NickProGam3r Fred Belitnikof used stick um too and he’s in the hof
Exactly
It is really unfortunate and shameful of the NFL that he has not been inducted into the NFL hall of fame.
popeye12money And yet they pick people who aren’t deserving to get into the Hall of Fame Cliffbranch Lester Hayes I mean they should’ve been in a long time ago
Yes, in my opinion, ALL of the Halls Of Fame are a joke for one reason or another... mind you, I don’t mind the fact of having an actual building/museum for fans to make a pilgrimage to, and which collects “pieces of the game and the men who played it”, but the politics and stupidity involved with who is allowed to have a plaque in the hall with their likeness and name attached, that I find deeply annoying. The NFL has changed, DRAMATICALLY, over the years, and lost amongst the time and tide of rules changes and offensive-stat explosions are many alltime greats, like Lester, absolutely, but especially ol’ number 21, Cliff Branch, the platonic ideal of the BURNER, so VITAL a piece of Al Davis’ ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK offensive philosophy, the “straw that stirred the drink” that was the Oakland Raiders’ offense...
The Raiders are 3-2 in Super Bowls. 3-0 with Cliff, 0-2 without him. I realize that doesn’t really tell the entire story, but it’s not a coincidence. These guys shone brightest when the stage was biggest!
Same with Cliff Branch. The NFL doesn't want to admit that the outlaw Raiders had great teams. They want to punish the Raiders for moving from Oakland to LA without permission and took it out on the players from that era. Look at how long it took Snake to be inducted
@@devilsadvocacy I believe it... Probably also didn't like the fact how Al Davis sued the NFL and won!
@@ratfat28 Strongly Agree 💯
Belongs in HOF without question.
should've been in the HOF years ago
Yes Sirrrr!!!!!
rd711 Hayes, Branch, and Todd Christensen should all have busts in Canton Ohio, this coming from a die hard Steeler fan.
Nah, he wore too much stickum. I could make all those interceptions if I had glue all over uniform like he did.
joe jones First off every Defensive back and wide out in the NFL used stickum back then Jerry Rice even admitted to using after it was banned and said most of the league did until the neoprene gloves came out in the early 90's which they say works better than stickum ever did. Lester just like to coat himself in it so he could stick to the wideouts in bump and run coverage. What made Lester great was his man coverage, the cornerback position is not all about picks. This is the guy that Deion Sanders groomed his game after and Deion who knows a hell of lot more than you or me about the cornerback position in the NFL says he should be there and should have been there on his first ballot.
I grew up a Vikings fan but my all time favorite player wore #37 for the Raiders, he is absolutely a hall of famer! I played corner and wore #37 from 7th grade through high school because of the great Lester Hayes!!
Deion Danders stole his SWAG... his style of play, his stance, the way he walked, his hair, the #37. Deion had #37 with the Ravens. (This guy was a bad man.)
The Lester Hayes squat. Didn't know he hasn't been inducted yet. Damn shame.
Mel Blount had a Similar stance so Deon probably admired both guys.he didn't steal if anything he made better.
Deion actually admits that he grew up admiring and studying Lester ijs
Lester wore a gold rope chain with his #37 hanging from it. I remember seeing that commercial of him when I was a kid where he hit the TV screen.
He also stole that high steeping kick off Walter Payton I truly do believe.
Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes, the greatest defensive backfield Tandem in the history of the NFL. Lester Hayes was a big component of the greatness of the Oakland Raiders. It is a serious injustice by the NFL that he has not been inducted into the Hall of Fame!!!
Along with Hayes and Haynes you add Mike Davis and Van McElroy. The best 4 defensive starting defensive backs ever that shut down the highest octane offensive receivers in the Washington Redskins in the Superbowl 1983.
Panama Red I agree 100%.
Lester should have been NFL MVP in 1980....and is 100% a HOFer. Been a die hard Cowboys fan for 40 years, but I loved Lester Hayes as a kid...he was Deion before Deion
The OLD Raiders...The REAL Raiders...we will never see their like again....
well of course not, because free agency exists..back then, we got to see the same players on the same team year after year- natural rivalries developed. players didnt fraternize with players from other teams back then...not like today where they are all buddies- its a different landscape
They have to get a real football man to run the organization. Not someone with a bowl haircut and wears flip flops to games
Just met him today and got his autograph great guy belongs in the HOF
Lester Hayes , Cliff Branch and Henry Ellard should all be in the HOF.
Add Jack Tatum!
Hayes and Jack two of the greatest corner backs of all times
Tatum was a safety
desjarda add the entire secondary from the soul patrol as well they deserve a spot up there too
R.I.P Cliff Branch
Lester Hayes along with Cliff Branch should be in the Hall of Fame.
Man the NFL controlled the NFL and to this day refuse to recognize the best AFL player, haters
thanks man, lester was my favorite player growing up. It's a crime that he isn't in the hall of fame. He was a freak athlete, he could do it all
definitely could jump; what do you figure his 40 was? Looks about a 4.4
mrkackerwacker he ran a 4.27
+FluX Levi Where is your proof of that 4.27?
Dat realjiit Naw fam I need sources. He would have to have been faster than Cliff Branch and he definitely wasn’t.
👍 You sure know how to pick ‘em.
Lester was THE MAN. 18 interceptions in 19 games played in 1980. The Hall of Fame has many cornerbacks in it that couldn't hold a candle to Lester's skill set. The Gold Standard of Shutdown corners.. disagree? ... game tape to game tape with any CB of any era.
I'll second that opinion, I grew up loving the raiders, and I still like watching Haynes and Hayes make QB look bewildered.
Agreed!!!!
The fact that Lester Hayes isnt in the Hall of Fame, simply renders the Hall, a fraud!! He could literally make good QB`s look like rookies. This is a huge injustice, along with the exclusion of Ray Guy. Another example of the Anti-Raider sentiment by the old voters.
Greatest season by a defensive player in the Super Bowl era
you guys, he's in Galt California this weekend at the Walmart on Twin Cities road. Go see him!! I met him last night!! He's fucking awesome.
Lester "The Judge" Hayes and Cifford "Speed Kills" Branch deserve to be inducted the HOF. These were the two players I patterned my playing style after.
damn right
Don't leave out Dave Dalby
don't forget his brother on the other side
sydboski I’m pretty sure it was Lester “the molester” Hayes ‘cause he use to taunt receivers in that low position, he’s the best.
@Alfred Pasly then you must be talking with people who know little about football
Deion Sander said, he had his poster on his wall when he was a kid. Deion stole this man's swag also.
LESTER HAYES is so underrated. I agree with all the comments below that he belongs in the Hall Of Fame. No question about it.
Great video! He deserves to be in the HOF!
Even though he used alot of stickum, no one can deny that he was a magnificent playmaker! He was always in the right place at the right time!
Exactly, The stickum helped with the interceptions but it had nothing to do with his ability to blanket cover whoever he was assigned to. After stickum was outlawed Hayes' picks went down, but his 'batting down passes' numbers went up.
How is Lester not in the HOF 30 years ago? Lester has HOF stats to back up his HOL career. He was one of the very best to ever play the game.
Lester Hayes, Rod Martin, Greg Townsend, Marcus Allen my four favorite Raiders of all time
how is he not in the HOF
He was the most dominant corner during the early 80''s
...cause he's a Raider. I was in Canton for Tim Brown, couldn't believe it was a 5 year wait for him.
Everyone has to wait 5 years...
Tim Brown did, then 5 more after that. That was my point, he should have been 1st or 2nd ballot, not 5th
RPG 808 he said it gave him a psychological edge
K Adams Yeah, he said it made him stick to the receivers in coverage, which is absurd when you think about it, I think it was more about getting in the other players head and leaving stickum smeared all over any offensive player in his path. Kinda like those stories of NBA big men that would skip showers so they'd stink in the paint.
That 80/81 season was full of greatness and Lester was at his peak. Put him in the HOF already.
Lester in 1980 had the greatest year a cornerback has EVER had
13 interceptions
5 interceptions in the playoffs
And 4 interceptions called back due to penalty..
That is truly insane!!!
What's more insane is that he is not in the HOF..
Probably the greatest year any Defensive player has ever had. Should be talked about a lot more and yes he should absolutely be in the HOF. Tired of the Hall only electing new retirees.
@@TD-ke4vd Yes the greatest year of any D player and I had the pleasure of watching Sir Lawrence of the Meadowlands on a yearly basis
What a season that was!
I love his signature stance… Truly one of the best…👍👍
One of my Raiders favorite players All Time. Still shaking my head why he is not in the Hall of Fame along with Branch and Coach Flores.
He was big strong fast had ball skills and could hit and blitz. Everything you wanted in a CB.
Should be in the HOF
Lester Hayes and Jack Tatum, Two great Raider secondary players who belong in Canton.
"The Judge" was the BEST!
reminds me of prime time before prime time. i grew up watching these raiders.
That stance before the ball is snapped is the baddest ever. And I'm a Steelers fan
The great Lester Hayes - one of the the most entertaining players ever!!
Just met him and got his autograph . Go Raiders !!!
Jose Alanis where is he these days??
That Raider Fan I'VE BEEN A STEELERS FAN FOR THE LAST 48 YEARS ...BUT LESTER HAYES BELONGS IN THE HALL OF FAME....HE WASN'T SOFT LIKE DB'S TODAY...HE WOULD STAMP YOUR ASS...MY ONLY REGRET BESIDES HIM NOT IN THE HOF..IS HE WASN'T A STEELER...
Larry Chamberlain Lester Hayes was a great player he deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame. These hall of fame voters just don’t understand it’s pathetic. Go Raiders ☠️
One of my favorite Raiders ever!!!
the old NFL made me feel so awesome and strong with the deep voice and war drums music and hard hits. what the fuck has happened to us?
a great cover corner. no a shut down corner. stickum cant account for his speed and preparation. ill put lester hayes 1980 up against any cornerbacks best year. and yes, he should be in the hof. dont just ask mike haynes.
Jo mic Damn straight #SALUTE
I bet he sill has his magic----
His 1980 season against any defensive player in any year. I had the pleasure to watch LT every year in the NY area
@@howardcosell2022 i said any cornerbacks year
@@jomic9060 I was including LT in any given year. I was in CA in 1980 and must have watched 10+ Raider games. He was a dominating force with an interception every week. He was the main reason the Raiders won a Super Bowl in a year they were predicted to be a .500 ball club. Remember that Raider team was post-Stabler, Casper, Tatum, Atkinson, Biletnikoff etc.....
Hayes,Branch both belong in HOF!
Add Tatum
Dont forget Dave Dalby and Henry Lawernce
Unless you wanted to be intercepted, you never threw against Lester Haynes. The best defensive player in the history of the game as far as I'm concerned. For years, I proudly wore a jersey with his number on it! Lester Haynes, You are a god!
'83 Hayes, Haynes, Davis and McElroy...a true no passing zone!
Especially against the Redskins in the Superbowl.
I've been *PUSHING* for Lester Hayes to be in the *HALL OF FAME* for years.
Underrated. He was a shut down CB. Great hands and speed...loved watching him play.
Hayes was a beast!! I wonder how long it took to get all that Stick Um off tho!!!
Paint thinner?
Just got an autograph from mr. Hayes this weekend one of my favorite raiders of all time
Hayes, john facenda, nfl films music, the raiders..doesn't get any better than that!
I had the good fortune to see Lester play…..he was spectacular……as a Baltimore Colts season ticket holder I wish we had him…..
One of my favorite players of the era. He was always in the play and really like his stance before the snap of the ball. “Lester the molester”
When I was a kid playing backyard football and doing the voice commentary, I was Lester Hayes.
Lester Hayes defense, Marcus Allen offense...
So underrated he and branch are both Hall of famers
That video was freakin' hard!! I love Hayes and anything Los Angeles Raiders!!
Sometimes I think that the HOF is a popularity contest. This man is without a doubt a HOF player.
Great video, my favorite player growing up in the 80s! "The Judge!" Still have his jersey in my closet! HOF worthy!
Many thanks for putting this tribute to Lester on video. He was an inspiration growing up; a Guy that believed and accomplished great things for "the game".
I love this guy to bits....my first Raider hero #37
I have been a Cowboy fan since the mid 70's but my favorite player growing up was Lester Hayes, because I was a CB in high school at the time and he was very inspirational.
His bump and run was a thing if beauty. Stickum and that stance.
Not sure why he is not in the hall of fame. Lester was and always will be my favorite raider.
One of the nicest guys I ever met and one of the greatest complete cornerbacks of all-time. People always talk about Dieon Sanders, but Lester Hays could cover anyone as well as stop the sweep. Amazing when you consider he was an outside linebacker at I believe, Texas A&M. Just another Raider who should be in the Hall of Fame.
I got to meet Lester in Lake Tahoe. Very polite, sure made my evening.
Wow!! What a tragedy that this guy is not in the h.o f. One of the best from his era.
He lived, defined and played what it always meant to be a "Raider". I wish I was too young to say I never watched him play; I can't say that. Wish I never saw Lamonica play. Can't say that either. But boy was it exciting to watch Lester turn a game around, steal a game from our opponent, or bring a game to an instant closure and victory. He and Mike Haynes were, IMO, the best CB tandem the game has ever seen.
One of the Greats of all time..Fellow Houstonian(Fifth Ward) Wheatly HS..Mr.Lester Hayes!!..
As I was growing up, I loved the Raiders, and Lester and Michael were my favorites
Lester Hayes' 1980 is IMO the single greatest season a cornerback has ever had. 13 regular season picks and 5 more in postseason. He should have been league MVP that year.
@Xavier Vega Hayes also had at least 4 regular season INTs disallowed in 1980 because of penalties.
news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19810108&id=gF0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y9kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5241,1304032&hl=en He did have a great season, but I don't know if it was as great as Night Train Lane's rookie season. He had 14 INTs and the season was only 12 games long back then. Plus they were terrible far as keeping other stats back then. Lane was also killer tackler. He pretty much invented the clothes line tackle and the forearm to the face. If you ever get a chance. Check out some of his highlights. He was vicious as fuck.
@@mykhaelearl4677 Lester was the most important player on a Super Bowl winning team. If he wasn't there, the Raiders would have been a .500 team. He is the main reason why they were World Champions in 1980
My favorite player as kid definitely a hall of famer in my book
Lester Hayes 37 needs to be in the hall fame ASAP enough is enough it’s a damn shame NFL needs to going in and get Lester Hayes in
"raiders always have a history of badd-ass c-backs' an o-yes houston own (l.hayes)!
My brothers and myself loved the 80’s Silver and Black D. I was a DB in high school, I had two pick 6’s in regulation. I tried to play like Mr. Hayes. I’ve never owned a team Jersey of any sport all my years. I turned 50 in July of 2021. On my 50th birthday my fiancé surprised me with my very first team Jersey. A Home game Black #37 Lester Hayes Jersey….. I was floored, I only wear it on game days. I hope to shake his hand and say thank you Mr. Hayes.
Just Win Baby!!!!!!
Thanks Tim!
Thank you for posting this video. Lester Hayes is one of the best and most complete cornerbacks of alltimes.
Love these old NFL films scores
Lester Hayes should be in the NFL Hall of Fame.
How in the hell Lester Hayes is not in the Hall? This is b.s., this man influenced many even Deion! Ask him!!!!
he was at my Walmart, cool dude!
Great video!!!! My favorite football player ever! Canton is a sham without Lester!!
Raider fan since the early 70's. Watching this made me smile, fun to watch.
He was a linebacker in college.
yep! a&m!
Laurence Lambus that’s why he had that funny stance but I liked it
Should be in the Hall of Fame!
I will never forget meeting Lester Hayes. He was walking through the tailgate party in LA and threw handshakes down to all raider fans after retirement. He is a true hero and is a true Raider. XOXO.
This highlight film alone should get him in the Hall of Fame.
I met him at a Walmart, extremely humble guy
Heck yeah!!! One of my all time favorites!!!!
How he's still not in the Hall of Fame is unbelievable to me especially with the NFL Hall of Fame have to have four guys going every year
NOTORIOUS LESTER!!!! FAN FOR LIFE!!!! LESTER PRIDE !!!
Definitely needs a hall of fame induction!
Yeah. Those stats listed at the end of the video are telling. No reason he shouldn't be in the HOF.
Lester Hayes was an amazing player before STICK UM and after..
The Hall please NFL
Thank You
GREAT VIDEO TIM.... Time to see some of our legends breech canton for enshrinement.... LESTER HAYS. MATT MILLEN. TOM FLORES. TODD CHRISTENSON. DAVE DALBY. STEVE WIZNEWSKI. SOO MANY FANTASTIC PLAYERS NEED TO SHINE ... RIP #SPEEDKILLS
He should be in the Hall of Fame! He’s the judge. Stickem Was just cosmetics. He earned his place in the Hall of Fame!
Definitely belongs in the hall of fame, I still have my lester Hayes football card from 1980 and my bob chandler football card from 1980
That's Pro Football and the voice of it! Couldn't wait till I took the field on SATURDAY MORNINGS
Thanks for this post. I remember Lester Da Judge...
Why isn’t this man in the Hall of Fame?!
My favorite old school Raider.
Highlights don’t lie Daddy O’ Lester was and still is the Best Ever
The OG of the shutdown corner right there Lester Hayes, arguably one of best cornerbacks in the history of the game!